What is CSCA?
China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is China’s newly established national academic test for international undergraduate admissions.
Starting from 2026, all applicants to Chinese Government Scholarship universities will need to take the CSCA before submitting their applications.
By 2028, CSCA is expected to become a mandatory admission requirement for all undergraduate programs in China.
中国自2026年起正式启用“来华留学本科入学学业水平测试（CSCA）”，
建立统一、权威的本科招生标准，用于评估国际学生的学术水平与学习潜力。
I. Test System Overview / 测试体系概览
Test Structure
The CSCA covers four main subjects:Specialized Chinese (for Chinese-taught programs)Mathematics(compulsory)Physics(optional)Chemistry(optional)
Specialized Chinese includes various question types to evaluate both vocabulary and comprehension:
👉 Character recognition
👉 Cloze tests
👉 Word distinction
👉 Paragraph construction
👉 Sentence completion
👉 Reading comprehension
专业中文考试注重语言综合能力考查，题型包括识字、词语辨析、语句补全、阅读理解等。
Applicants for English-taught programs are exempt from the Specialized Chinese test, while those majoring in Chinese Language may be exempt if holding a valid HSK Level 4 certificate.
II. Test Schedule & Global Coverage / 考试安排与全球布局
From 2026 onward, CSCA exams will be conducted five times per year — in January, March, April, June, and December.Asia-Pacific focus: April, June, DecemberEurope & Americas focus: January, March
To make the test more accessible, China will build offline centers in major source countries such as India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, aiming for full coverage in the top 20 countries within 2–3 years.
自2026年起，CSCA将每年常态化举办5场考试，分时区覆盖全球主要地区，并在主要生源国建设线下考点，实现考试国际化、标准化。
III. Admission Policy & Score Use / 招生与分数使用
All Chinese Government Scholarship universities must clearly state in their 2026/2027 admission guides that the CSCA Score Report is a required document for undergraduate applications. Each university will:Receive applicants’ official scores directly from the CSCA systemUse results as a quantitative measure of academic readinessSet its own admission cut-off lines based on internal standards and applicant pool quality
各校可根据本校专业要求，自主设定录取分数线，并通过分数排名了解申请人在全球范围内的相对位置。
IV. Registration & Test Fees / 报名与费用
🗓️ Registration TimeExpected registration period: November 2025Conducted primarily through the official website: www.csca.cnAvailable in Chinese and EnglishOffline registration assistance will be available at authorized overseas centers in regions with limited internet access.
Test FeesSingle subject: RMB 450Two or more subjects:
RMB 700Payment supports Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, VISA, and MasterCard.
报名时间预计2025年11月开放，线上报名为主，全球多种支付方式均可使用。
V. Scoring & Results / 成绩评定与公布
All subjects are scored on a 100-point scale. Results serve as reference data for universities’ admission decisions. Scores from online and computer-based tests are released within 7 working days,
while paper-based test results are available within 14 working days. Universities can also view global percentile rankings to evaluate candidates’ international academic standing.
CSCA成绩将在考试后一至两周内公布，并提供全球相对百分位排名，帮助高校精准选才。
VI. Preparation Tips / 准备建议
1️⃣ Strengthen your basics — Study subjects at Chinese high school (Grade 12) level to match academic standards.
2️⃣ Take mock exams — Use the “Study in China” Entrance Exam Mock Test to experience typical Chinese test styles.
3️⃣ Use study materials — Purchase reference books related to mathematics, physics, chemistry, and academic Chinese.
4️⃣ Join foundation programs — Enroll in preparatory or pre-university courses at Chinese universities to strengthen your readiness.建议提前进行系统学习与模拟训练，熟悉题型与考试界面，提升应试信心。
Conclusion / 总结
The CSCA marks a significant milestone in the modernization and standardization of China’s international admissions system.
For students aiming to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in China, CSCA is not just an exam — it’s your gateway to scholarship opportunities and top-tier universities.🚀 Start preparing now for the 2026 CSCA — your first step toward studying in China!📌 Official Website:www.csca.cn
📅 First Global Test: December 21, 2025
📘 Registration Opens: November 2025
